Jacob Toppin signs two-way deal with New York Knicks

Jacob Toppin did not get drafted last night, but he got the next best thing: a chance to play with his brother for his hometown professional team. After the draft was over, word spread that Toppin signed a two-way deal with the New York Knicks. Jacob’s older brother Obi just finished up his third season with the Knicks and is entering a contract year. Last season, Obi averaged 7.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. Of course, fellow former Cats Julius Randle and Immanuel Quickley also play for the club.

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John Calipari confirmed Toppin’s deal with the Knicks on Twitter, writing that Oscar Tshiebwe, who also went undrafted, also has options, which he is currently weighing.

Toppin finished his senior season at Kentucky averaging 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 31.5 minutes per contest. He closed out his career averaging 8.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in three seasons. Before that, the Brooklyn native put up 5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game in his freshman year at Rhode Island.

John Calipari, Chris Livingston miss each other at draft

Two Kentucky Wildcats did get drafted last night, Cason Wallace (No. 10, traded to OKC Thunder) and Chris Livingston (No. 58, Milwaukee Bucks). Livingston was the final pick of the night and was at the Barclays Center, making his way down to the stage to shake NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum’s hand.

John Calipari attended the draft with Cason Wallace and his family but left after Wallace went in the first round to celebrate his anniversary with his wife. On Twitter, he admitted there was a “miscommunication” with Livingston and he didn’t realize he was at the draft as well, otherwise, he would have stayed with him until his name was called.

“I am so happy for Cason and Chris to be drafted,” Calipari tweeted early this morning. “We had some miscommunication and I didn’t realize Chris was at Barclays until I saw him on TV. I let him know last night that I would’ve stayed and sat with him if I had realized he was there.”

Earlier this month, Livingston canceled all his remaining team workouts, fueling speculation he had a guarantee from a team. As the second round went on last night, Shams Charania tweeted that Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul was calling teams asking them not to take Chris because he had a deal in place. Apparently, that was with Milwaukee.

Regardless of how it happened, best of luck to the former Cats in their new homes.